1. Principal News Term 4 Week 9 2023

Reports

The end-of-year teacher comment will soon be (or maybe already is) on your child's Educa profile.  Please let your child's teacher know if you have any difficulty accessing the profile.  

END OF YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Wednesday 13th December - End of Year Mass

This is held in the Basilica at 6.00 pm.  Children are to meet at school at 5.45 pm in their correct summer uniform.  (No PE uniform)

We will be celebrating Mass and including:

- The junior school nativity performance.

- Awarding the JJ awards to one child in each year group.

- Prize-giving for our year 8s.

- The graduation candle ceremony.

Everyone is encouraged to attend and it is always a wonderful way to celebrate together another wonderful year. 

Just Like Jesus Awards

These Just Like Jesus (JJ) awards are given out annually, one to each year group.  The recipient of the JJ award in each year group is a child who we think most exemplifies being Just like Jesus and who is a role model to others.  

Thursday 14th December - Final Assembly

Whānau are invited to our Final Assembly. Our head students will present their leaving speeches in our final assembly starting at 2pm.  We will present the leavers' certificates and hand over the leadership roles to the year 7s for next year and will finish with carols.

The start date for term 1 next year is Wednesday 31st January. 

Stationery lists will be on our school webpage.  They will also be handed out next week.  

Thank you whānau for your support and encouragement in 2023 in our school and I wish you a Happy Christmas and every blessing for the New Year.

Ma te Atua e manaaki a aroha,

(God bless, and love)

Nicola Winders 

Deputy Principal

2. School Notices - Week 9, Term 4 2023

 QUOTE FOR THE YEAR

Birthday Greetings from December to January

Chris G, Maria H, Henry H, Chelsea K, Ricky K, Hila'atu L, Roger L, Dolleen M, Anashae M, Nicol R and Eizabel T

Buses - Next Week

All country buses will be running at the normal times as some of the high schools are open till next Friday.  On Friday, the buses will only run in the morning and we ask for all families to collect their children from school that day.

Christmas and Holiday Mass Times 2023/2024

St Patricks Basilica

Christmas Vigil: Carols 8.00 pm, Mass 8.30 pm

Christmas Day:  Mass 9.30 am

Sacred Heart Church Kurow

Christmas Vigil: 6.00 pm Mass

Sunday Mass: January 7, 21 @12.00 noon

General Mass Times:

St Patrick's Basilica -Saturday Vigil 5.00 pm, Sunday 9.30 am

Sacred Heart Church - Kurow - 1st & 3rd Sundays @ 12 noon

Congratulations - Athletic Champions

At assembly last week, we acknowledged our 2023 athletic champions.  Congratulations to the following students:

8 yrs - Jayden H and Manaia D

9 yrs - Alexander R and Angelina D

10 yrs - Siale T and Emily M

11 yrs - Liam L and Sephrin S

12 yrs - Jac B and Chelsea K

13 yrs - Xiao hui L and Eva F

Congratulations to Sephrin S who placed 3rd in the 100 m sprints at the North Otago Athletics.

Contact Details

If you are moving addresses in the holidays or your contact details change including emergency contacts, please email the office at office@stjoseph.school.nz

Farewell to the Following Families

We farewell the following families who leave St Joseph's for high school.  We thank them for their contributions to our school and wish them all the best.  Good luck in all your endeavours.

- Bradley, Coscos, Fatafehi, Fifita, Gibbins, Li, McLaren, Perez, Perniskie and Woodhouse

Helpers

We thank all our parents, family and friends who have helped during the year with our class and school activities.  We always appreciate any help you give to the school.

Library Books

Can all library books please be returned to the office by Wednesday 13th December.

Lost Property

There is a large number of items in the lost property area, please come and check if they belong to your children. All leftover items will either be donated to the uniform shop or given away.

Road Patrol

Our road patrollers were acknowledged at assembly today for their duty this year. 

Multicultural Day

Last Friday, our school celebrated Multicultural day. It was lovely to see parents, whānau and parishioners connect and celebrate the diversity of our school over tasty food and cultural displays. Our young children also showed us amazing performances. Thank you to everyone who came and shared this special day with us. 

School Disco

Greetings and we hope that you and your family are well and keeping safe. We are writing to inform you that we are going to have our end-of-year school disco for years 1-6. How exciting to end the term with a school disco!

Here is the outline of what we are going to do for our school disco. 
On Thursday 14th December, we are holding a school disco for new entrants to Yr 6 in the school hall.
-  The time will be from 4.00 to 5.30 pm
-  The theme is Christmas and we would love to see as many of the children dress up in the theme. (even a piece of tinsel put on you).  
-  The disco is for school children only and therefore we ask that no pre-schoolers attend as it is an end of year school celebration
-  A donation of $2.00 each which gives you an entry ticket, glow stick, bag of chips and a drink. 
-  Entry is paid at the door. 
- We hope to see many of our children participating and enjoying the disco next Thursday. 
Many Blessings
Sarah & Tua

School Stationery

All class stationery lists will be sent out next week and will be on the website for 2024.  If you purchase your child's stationery from OfficeMax online at: myschool.co.nz you will be able to purchase at their very low Back to School discount prices which are available from now until the end of February.

Alternatively, you can purchase packs online from www.paperplus.co.nz/back-to-school or in-store at Paper Plus.  If you already have certain parts of the stationery list, contact Paper Plus Oamaru who will organise a custom pack for you.

Both companies enable parents to purchase their children's stationery at lower prices and both companies will make a donation to St Joseph's.

Sport Coaches and Managers

Thank you, thank you, thank you, words cannot describe how much you are appreciated for giving up your time in coaching and managing our sports teams. You are all superb and magnificent people who ensure that our children can play a sport. If you have managed a team and your name is not mentioned, please accept our apologies and we thank you very much for your time.

Basketball - Toby Lucas and Adele Whiston

Futsal - Rory & Wendy McGeown and various parents helping out

Miniball - Jan Roa, Judith Leo/Steven Tavendale, Bex Diedrichs/Melissa Smith

Netball - Paula Brien, Megan Fogarty and Katiana Taiti

Touch - Judith Leo/ Adele Whiston, Michael Pine/Justine Rodger Teagan O'Connell, Max Fatafehi/William Pardede

Subway Lunches

Today is the last day of the year for Subway lunches.  We will notify you in 2024 when they resume again.

Touch Rugby Gear Bags

Can the coaches please return all the touch rugby gear bags to the office by next Tuesday.

Welcome New Students

We warmly welcome Amanda TA, Jewel J and Ioata F who started at our school recently.

3. Diary Dates - Week 9, Term 4 2023

 

DECEMBER
Friday 8	Yr 7 & 8 Social
Wednesday 13	End of Year Mass at 6.00 pm
Thursday 14	End of Year Assembly at 2.00 pm  School Disco for yrs 1-6 at 4.00 pm *
Friday 15	Last day of school - school closes at 12.30 pm
JANUARY 2024
Wednesday	School starts for term 1
FEBRUARY
Friday 2	Swimming lessons for yrs 1-8
Monday 5	Swimming lessons for yrs 1-8
Tuesday 6	Waitangi Day - school closed
Wednesday 7	Swimming lessons for yrs 1-8
Friday 9	Swimming lessons for yrs 1-8
Wednesday 14	Swimming lessons for yrs 1-8
Friday 16	Swimming lessons for yrs 1-8
Wednesday 28	Senior school swimming sports

1. Principals News - Week 7, Term 4 2023

Dear Parents and Whanau

I will be on camp with the year 7 and 8 students when you receive this newsletter.  We have been staying in Peel Forest for 3 days and 2 nights.  The student's challenges are high ropes, confidence course, white water rafting and short nature walks.

Staffing 2024

As it often happens at the end of a school year, there are staff changes.  We have experienced quite a degree of change in the last 2 weeks.

Sarah Sollano has been granted a year's leave to study and to complete her post-graduate studies.  She will return to St Joseph's in 2024.  We hope to see her doing some relieving and volunteering in our school next year.

Leanne Brookes has resigned and taken up a position in Christchurch at Our Lady of Victories School effective next year.  We wish her well in a new city and an exciting challenge of a larger Director of Religious Studies role.

Nicola Winders has also resigned and taken up a new position at Weston School at the beginning of 2024.

We are in the process of advertising for a new classroom teacher and Deputy Principal for the school.  This week, we have been pleased to have made three new appointments to replace staff and take up the reins in 2024.

North Otago Athletic Championships

We were well represented by students at the North Otago Championships on Monday evening.  A big thank you to Paula Brien for all her organisation in the zone and regional entries.  Also to Sarah Sollano for being an official on the night.

Year 8 Transition Day

On Wednesday 29th November, the year 8 students attending St Kevin's next year will spend the day in their new school.  Parents should have received a letter with all the details of the day.  If you are unsure, please contact the St Kevin's School office.

Multicultural Day

Thank you in advance for all the organisation that is going into this day.  Our multicultural celebration is on Friday 1st December.  Please see the flyer later in the newsletter.

Board of Trustees Meeting

We will be holding the last BOT meeting for the year on Tuesday 5th December.  This is an open meeting that you are most welcome and encouraged to attend.  Our meetings are held in the school staffroom at 6.30 pm.  Minutes are available for you to view at any time.

God Bless

Allan Mitchell

Acting Principal

2. Faith Facts - Week 7, Term 4 2023

 Welcome to the end of Week 7 Term 4

Week 7    20th - 24th November     Christ the King

At our Parish/School Mass last Thursday 16th November,  Levi and Tineka Rankin received the Sacrament of Catholic Baptism with Father Fredy.

                       

Our Year 7 & 8 students have been at camp this week. Year 5 & 6 students have competently taken on the Leadership roles at Mass with Kapahaka, Waiata and Technology and leading Friday’s Assembly.

We also are very proud of and thank Ruma Kereru who led Mass this week so Respectfully and Reverently.

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
19 33rd SUNDAY in Ordinary Time World Day of the Poor	20	21 The Presentation of Blessed Virgin Mary	22 St Cecilia	23	24 Sts Andrew Dũng-La. c, priest, and companions, martyrs	25

November 21 - The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The tradition is that Mary was taken to the temple in Jerusalem when she was 3 years-old and dedicated to God. What we celebrate on this day is the fact that God chose to dwell in Mary in a very special way. 

November 24th
Sts Andrew Dũng-La. c, priest, and companions, martyrs

St. John Paul II canonised a group of 117 martyrs who gave their lives for the faith in Vietnam during the 19th century. On this feast day, the Church remembers the sufferings inflicted on the Vietnamese Church, which are among the most terrible in the long history of Christian martyrdom. 

We can also think and pray for all the Vietnamese refugees who came to New Zealand in the late 1970’s and some later. May they always find peace and be at home here. Protect their hearts and minds from painful memories.

Nga mihi nui

Leanne Brookes

3. School Notices - Week 7, Term 4 2023

 QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Birthday Greetings for the next fortnight:

Sam L, Dristi M and Laken N

Athletic Trophy Presentation

The athletic trophies will be presented at the assembly next Friday starting at 2.30 pm.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

Christmas Parade

Come and be part of Oamaru Christmas Santa Parade -Sat 25 Nov 11am!

This year there’s going to be an ecumenical float with all the churches parading together. St Patrick's parishioners are going to promote PEACE and walk behind the main truck, dressed in white with a white hat saying PEACE.
Any St Joseph's staff or families who would like to take part  is invited to contact Nicola (021659757) by 24 November.

End of Year Celebrations

Friday 1st December - multicultural day

Friday 8th December - yr 7 & 8 social

Wednesday 13th December  - our end-of-year Mass, junior nativity and prize giving is on at 6.00 pm at the Basilica.  All children are expected to attend.

Thursday 14th December - Final Assembly at 2.00 pm

Friday 15th December - school finishes at 12.30 pm

Multicultural Day

Multicultural Day is next Friday and it's great to see some of the children getting on with their dance practices. Today is the final call for performances, so if your child is interested in performing on the day, please email Miss Sollano at ssollano@stjoseph.school.nz  Everyone is welcome to come and watch the performances after lunch at 1.30 pm followed by assembly.

Shared Kai

Join us next Friday to connect with others over tasty finger food and share in the cultures of communities. 

Children are to wear their PE uniform to school and bring their traditional dress with them to change into at school. 

Each child is to bring some food for a shared lunch which is to be dropped off at the hall kitchen before 12.00 pm. Please do not bring any food with nuts due to food allergies. Please do not bring food that needs to be heated unless you are willing to come in and heat it yourself. We would love for some parents to come at 12.00 pm and help put the food on the tables.

The timetable for the day is:

11.00 am - multicultural activities

12.30 pm - shared kai (lunch) in the hall

1.30 pm - cultural performances

2.30 pm - school assembly

School Lunches

It has been noted the children's lunch boxes are being filled with lots of processed packets of food and we would encourage you to put sandwiches and fruit in them which will help them with their learning.  A healthy lunch food chart has been attached to the email to give you some ideas.

Start of School 2024

Our first day of school for 2024 will be Wednesday 31st January.

Swimming Lessons 2024

The dates and times for our school's swimming lessons for years 1-8 are:

Friday 2nd February - 1.00, 1.30, 2.00 pm

Monday 5th February - 1.00, 1.30, 2.00 pm

Wednesday 7th February - 9.30, 10.00, 10.30 am

Friday 9th February - 9.30, 10.00, 10.30 am

Wednesday 14th February - 9.30, 10.00, 10.30 am

Friday 16th February - 9.30, 10.00, 10.30 am

Wednesday 28th February - senior school swimming sports from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

A notice will come out in January asking for parents to help walk alongside the children to and from the pool.

Welcome

We warmly welcome Ava J who started at our school this week.

Community Notices

• Victoria Cooper Academy of Dance presents - NARNIA, THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
  Saturday 2nd December at Waitaki Boys High School Auditorium.   Starting at 1pm and 5.30pm 
  Get tickets via any VCAD student Or vcacademyofdance@gmail.com 

• "Toot for Tucker" - Monday 4th December from 6.00 pm.  A combined Lions Clubs of North Otago Project for the Oamaru Food Bank.  Listen to the 'tooting' in your street.  Please give your donation of a non-perishable food item.

• Christmas Charity Concert - Saturday 9th December at 1.30 pm at the Basilica, Reed Street, Oamaru.  A variety cultural concert with afternoon tea.  Entry is either a Christmas gift, monetary donation, or a non-perishable grocery item.  The proceeds go to the combined church's Christmas parcels.